United Kingdom•Europe

Open

Youth Mobility Scheme

Working Holiday Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

2–3 weeks

Estimated Cost

£1,892 GBP

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

2 years

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,200

Quality of Life

176/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

2-year visa for young people (18-35) from partner countries to live and work in the UK.

The UK Youth Mobility Scheme is a 2-year visa for young adults from partner countries to live and work in Britain. Age limit is 30 for most nationalities, 35 for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea. Hong Kong and Taiwan holders enter via ballot. Applicants need £2,530 in savings for 28+ consecutive days.

Fees are £340 application plus £776/year healthcare surcharge. Most jobs and self-employment are allowed (equipment under £5,000), but not professional sports. No dependents, no PR pathway — but AU/CA/NZ nationals can extend by one additional year.

This visa is ideal for young adults from partner countries seeking a 2-year UK working holiday with flexible employment options and no employer sponsor needed.

Curious about life in the United Kingdom?

Discover cost of living, salary benchmarks, tax rates, and quality of life — everything you need to know before you make the move.

Explore Guide

Cost Breakdown

Application fee£340 GBP

Immigration Health Surcharge (per year)£776 GBP

recurring

Immigration Health Surcharge (total, 2 years)£1,552 GBP

Total£1,892 GBP

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

2 years

Annual Cap & Quota

Limited ballot allocation for Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan nationals; no stated cap for other nationalities

Eligible Nationalities (12)

Andorra

Australia

Canada

Hong Kong SAR China Iceland

Iceland

Japan

Monaco

New Zealand

San Marino

South Korea Taiwan

Taiwan

Uruguay

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United Kingdom

Skilled Worker Visa

Validity5 years per grant (renewable indefinitely)

Processing5 days – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Spouse/Partner Visa

Validity33 months

Processing2 months – 1 year

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Scale-up Visa

Validity2 years

Processing2 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Global Talent Visa

Validity5 years

Processing5 days – 2 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Age 18–35 (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea) or 18–30 (all other qualifying nationalities)

Must be a national of a qualifying country or territory

Must have at least £2,530 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days

Day 28 of the bank account holding period must fall within 31 days of your application date

Must not have previously been granted a Youth Mobility Scheme visa

Must not have dependent children living with you or financially dependent on you

Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan passport holders must enter via ballot system

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Savings

2,530 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document from a qualifying country

Bank statements showing at least £2,530 held for 28 consecutive days

Proof of nationality from a qualifying country

Proof of age (18–30 or 18–35 depending on nationality)

Ballot confirmation letter (Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan applicants only)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Live and work freely in the UK for up to 2 years without a job offer
Work in almost any sector or occupation (except professional sports)
No sponsorship required from an employer
Australia, Canada, and New Zealand nationals can extend by 1 additional year (total 3 years)
Wide range of qualifying nationalities

Worth Knowing

Cannot work as a professional athlete or sports coach
Cannot claim public funds
Cannot sponsor dependents — family members cannot join on this visa
Cannot generally extend stay beyond 2 years (exception: AU/CA/NZ nationals for 1 extra year)
Cannot switch into this visa from within the UK (must apply from outside)
Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan nationals must enter via a limited ballot system
Must meet the financial maintenance requirement at time of application
No pathway to permanent residence (Indefinite Leave to Remain) from this visa

Application Process

Check qualification by nationality and age

If required (Hong Kong SAR or Taiwan), enter and win the ballot

Gather required documents including bank statements

Complete the online application form

Pay the application fee (£340) and Immigration Health Surcharge

Submit biometric information at a visa application centre

Wait approximately 3 weeks for a decision

Verified Claims (22)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Check eligibility by nationality and age; If required (Hong Kong SAR or Taiwan), enter and win the b…

gov.uk

Dependent Visa

gov.uk

Fee Breakdown

Application fee: 340 GBP; Immigration Health Surcharge (per year): 776 GBP; Immigration Health Surch…

gov.uk

Fees

£340 application fee + £776/year healthcare surcharge (Immigration Health Surcharge)

gov.uk

Forms

—

gov.uk

Included Nationalities

AD; AU; CA; HK; IS; JP; MC; NZ; SM; KR; TW; UY

gov.uk

Job Offer Required

false

gov.uk

Application Portal

https://www.gov.uk/youth-mobility/apply

gov.uk

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,200

Quality of Life

176/200

Full Country Guide

Ready to see if the Youth Mobility Scheme is your visa path?

Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.

Start Visa Discovery

Overview

2-year visa for young people (18-35) from partner countries to live and work in the UK.

This visa is ideal for young adults from partner countries seeking a 2-year UK working holiday with flexible employment options and no employer sponsor needed.

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United Kingdom

Skilled Worker Visa

Validity5 years per grant (renewable indefinitely)

Processing5 days – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Spouse/Partner Visa

Validity33 months

Processing2 months – 1 year

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Scale-up Visa

Validity2 years

Processing2 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Global Talent Visa

Validity5 years

Processing5 days – 2 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Age 18–35 (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea) or 18–30 (all other qualifying nationalities)

Must be a national of a qualifying country or territory

Must have at least £2,530 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days

Day 28 of the bank account holding period must fall within 31 days of your application date

Must not have previously been granted a Youth Mobility Scheme visa

Must not have dependent children living with you or financially dependent on you

Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan passport holders must enter via ballot system

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Savings

2,530 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document from a qualifying country

Bank statements showing at least £2,530 held for 28 consecutive days

Proof of nationality from a qualifying country

Proof of age (18–30 or 18–35 depending on nationality)

Ballot confirmation letter (Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan applicants only)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Live and work freely in the UK for up to 2 years without a job offer
Work in almost any sector or occupation (except professional sports)
No sponsorship required from an employer
Australia, Canada, and New Zealand nationals can extend by 1 additional year (total 3 years)
Wide range of qualifying nationalities

Worth Knowing

Cannot work as a professional athlete or sports coach
Cannot claim public funds
Cannot sponsor dependents — family members cannot join on this visa
Cannot generally extend stay beyond 2 years (exception: AU/CA/NZ nationals for 1 extra year)
Cannot switch into this visa from within the UK (must apply from outside)
Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan nationals must enter via a limited ballot system
Must meet the financial maintenance requirement at time of application
No pathway to permanent residence (Indefinite Leave to Remain) from this visa